BIOGRAPHY

Reita Fennell was born in the Willowdale District, south of Melfort, Saskatchewan, on 20 November 1907, as the fifth of ten children to Roderick and Jane Reid. On 13 November 1929, at 21, she married Albert Fennell, and they remained together for 55 years until his passing. They had one daughter, Wynona Margaret. She obtained her driver’s license at the age of 60 after her husband lost his eyesight. Reita was a devoted member of the Salvation Army Church in Melfort.

On her 107th birthday, she shared that she didn’t follow any specific diet or have any secrets to a long, healthy life. She simply stated, “What I gave, the Lord gave to me. If He doesn’t supply, none of us can have anything. He has provided for my every need.” At the time, she still enjoyed shopping—mostly for clothes—but found joy in all kinds of shopping. At 112, it was reported that she kept herself busy by playing the organ in her room at Parkland Place in Melfort. Crocheting had also been a longtime favorite hobby, though her arms were not as strong as they once were. Her favorite foods included fish and chicken. She also loved bacon but preferred the leaner turkey bacon.

Reita Fennell passed away in Melfort, Saskatchewan, on 17 April 2021, at the age of 113 years, 148 days. She was survived by her three grandsons, seven great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Fennell’s age was validated by the GRG on 5 December 2019.

On 7 August 2020, at the age of 112 years, 261 days, she surpassed the final age of Pearl Lutzko (1899–2011), becoming the oldest person ever to have lived in the province of Saskatchewan.

At the time of her passing, she was the third-oldest living person in Canada, after Phyllis Ridgway and Cecile Klein.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Melfort resident celebrates 107th birthday last week” – Melfort Journal, 25 November 2014

* “No secret to long life for Reita Fennell, at 112 the oldest person in Saskatchewan” – Saskatoon Star Phoenix, 27 November 2019

* Reita “Deat” Fennell Obituary – Melfort Funeral Home

GALLERY